City receives $50,000 to spend on new murals

City receives $50,000 to spend on new murals

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Look for improvements to be made to Richmond’s Arts and Cultural District thanks to a $200,000 grant from Altria, the city announced Thursday morning. The money will be used to help “support marketing, murals and façade improvements” in the district.

“The Broad Street downtown corridor is the art and cultural hub of Richmond,” Mayor Dwight Jones said in a statement. “The revitalization of Broad Street is a top priority and this investment from Altria is so important to our efforts to improve this very important gateway to our city.”

Richmond CenterStage, the National Theater, the Virginia Repertory Theatre, the Hippodrome and a series of restaurants and art galleries make up the Arts and Cultural District which roughly stretches from N. Belvidere St. east to N. 13 Street between Leigh St. and West Franklin.

“Richmond is our home and we believe it’s essential to invest in our hometown,” Jennifer Hunter, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs, Altria Client Services, said in a statement.

Here is how the grant breaks down:

Façade Improvements $100,000

Marketing $ 50,000

Murals $ 50,000 (over three years)

“Everything we do is done through the lens of economic development,” Mayor Jones said. “We must continue to diversify and expand the city’s tax base, and this generous investment into the city’s Arts and Cultural District will help support local businesses while generating more visits and interest in this important corridor.”